Gas-liquid separator

Abstract

An apparatus for separating a gas from a liquid but truly suited for use in a zero gravity environment. The apparatus includes first and second closed vessels each of which are separated into a gas and liquid zone. The first vessel is separated by gas de-entrainment means and the second vessel by a plurality of elongated passageways for capillary containment of a body of liquid. The passageways provide the sole source of fluid communication between the gas and liquid zones. The gas zones of the first and second vessels are in fluid communication with one another as are the liquid zones of the first and second vessels. Means are provided for introducing a liquid containing entrained gas into the first vessel for impingement upon the gas of the entrainment means such that the liquid passes through the de-entrainment means and flows into the second vessel and the entrained gas is separated and flows into a gas storage space of the second vessel displacing the body of liquid metal contained in the passageways in said second vessel. The apparatus further includes means for withdrawing liquid from a liquid zone of the second vessel which has been freed of any entrained gas. The apparatus is particularly suitable for use in the separation of tritium and helium from the lithium coolant of a nuclear reactor.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for separating a gas from a liquid metal containing the same in a zero gravity environment comprising: a first closed vessel separated into a gas and liquid zone by a gas de-entrainment means;   means for introducing liquid metal containing entrained gas into said first vessel for impingement upon said gas de-entrainment means;   a second closed vessel separated into a gas and liquid zone by a plurality of elongated tubes for capillary containment of a body of liquid metal;   the gas zone of the first and second vessels being in fluid communication with one another and the liquid zone of said first and second vessels being in fluid communication with one another; and   means for withdrawing liquid metal from the liquid zone of said second vessel, whereby when liquid metal containing entrained gas is impinged upon said gas de-entrainment means said liquid metal passes through the de-entrainment means and flows into said second vessel and the entrained gas is separated and flows into the gas storage space of said second vessel displacing the body of liquid metal contained in the plurality of tubes in said second vessel.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for injecting said liquid containing entrained gas includes a liquid lithium source. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for injecting said liquid containing entrained gas includes a source of mixed tritium and helium. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein there is further provided a baffle means located in an upper portion of the gas zone of said first vessel. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for introducing said liquid further provides for its introduction at a location intermediate said baffle means and said gas de-entrainment means. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said de-entrainment means comprises a screen having openings sufficiently small that the surface tension of the liquid prohibits the flow of gas therethrough but sufficiently large to permit the passage therethrough of liquid. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tubes have openings having an inside diameter within the range of from 10 millimeters to 0.5 millimeters. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus for separating helium and tritium from a liquid lithium containing the same in a zero gravity environment comprising: a first closed vessel separated into a gas and liquid zone by a wire screen;   a baffle means located in an upper portion of said first closed vessel;   means for introducing liquid lithium containing entrained helium and tritium into said first vessel intermediate said baffle means and said wire screen for impingement upon said wire screen;   a second closed vessel separated into a gas and a liquid zone by a plurality of elongated tubes for capillary containment of a body of liquid lithium;   the gas zone of the first and second vessels being in fluid communication with one another and the liquid zone of said first and second vessels being in fluid communication with one another; and   means for withdrawing liquid lithium from the liquid zone of said second vessel, whereby when liquid lithium containing entrained helium and tritium is impinged upon said wire screen said liquid lithium passes through the wire screen and flows into said second vessel and the entrained helium and tritium is separated and flows into the gas storage space of said second vessel displacing the body of liquid lithium contained in the plurality of tubes in said second vessel.   
     
     
       9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said de-entrainment means comprises a screen having openings sufficiently small that the surface tension of the liquid prohibits the flow of gas therethrough but sufficiently large to permit the passage therethrough of liquid. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said tubes have openings having an inside diameter within the range of from 10 millimeters to 0.5 millimeters.